A variety of different foods are good sources of magnesium, including most green vegetables, legumes, nuts and unrefined cereals, but statistics suggest that the diets of around one in three Australian adults aged over 30 are lacking in the mineral.
Plus, even if you’re eating a magnesium-rich diet, other factors can bump up the risk of deficiency, including drinking a lot of coffee, having a high salt intake and living with prolonged periods of stress. Some prescription medications and health conditions can also make magnesium deficiency more likely.
It’s facts like that which can make considering taking a supplement a smart idea. When dietary intake of the mineral is lacking, a magnesium supplement can help to reduce or relieve those muscle cramps and spasms, decrease muscle tension and stiffness and even support muscle performance and endurance.
For starters, it’s important to choose a supplement that contains a type of magnesium that’s easily absorbed by the body. Magnesium citrate, magnesium glycinate and magnesium amino acid chelate are better absorbed by the body than some other types of magnesium.
It’s also a good idea to consider how, specifically, you’re looking to support your muscle health by taking a magnesium supplement.
For general muscle health or if you’re looking to address any niggling muscle cramps, tension and stiffness so that you can keep moving the way you want to, choose a high-dose, multi-purpose magnesium supplement, like Blackmores Super Magnesium+. As well as helping to support and maintain muscle health – including helping to decrease or relieve muscle cramps, mild muscle spasms and tension or stiffness if dietary intake of magnesium is inadequate – it can also support energy levels, relieve fatigue and support cardiovascular health when dietary intake is inadequate
But if your goal is to support your body when it’s in recovery mode after exercise, a better choice may be Blackmores Recovery Magnesium powder. An easy-to-take powder formulated to reduce muscle cramps, tension and stiffness when dietary intake is inadequate, it also contains ginseng to support muscle endurance and aid post-exercise recovery.
For more information and advice about which magnesium supplement might suit you and your muscles best, get in touch with our naturopaths for free, personalised advice.
Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional.